Captain Johnny Ventisei and Ollie McKenna scored two tries as Scotland raced out to a 38-10 scoreline at half time, but Wales bravely reeled them in with five second half tries.
Richard Whiffin’s side were first to strike – after a Scottish box kick, a break down the right fell kindly to Ieuan Cornelius and the winger sprinted to the corner for a well-worked try.
The home side responded smartly as a 50-22 from the boot of fly half Matthew Urwin set up a rolling maul, from which Ollie Blyth-Lafferty crashed over from short range.
Acotland nabbed another straight away when the ball was nicked under the nose of the Welsh ruck and went through the hands quickly. Fergus Watson was the last man in a line of players on the left, and he ran the best part of 50m untouched to score Scotland’s second.
After a number of phases camped in Scotland’s 22, the ball was flung wide for Cornelius to grab a second try right by the corner flag.
Just two minutes later, a line break from Jack Brown saw a clever offload in the tackle to Watson and onto captain Johnny Ventisei, who dashed over for the home side’s third of the night. Urwin converted again to push the lead out to nine.
Blyth-Lafferty was in amongst the action again – this time to pickpocket a Welsh ruck. He popped the ball up to Ollie McKenna, who broke the line and slipped a pass to Nairn Moncrieff. The winger didn’t need a second invitation and crossed for Scotland’s fourth try. Urwin’s radar was back on track as he nailed his third conversion.
McKenna, after playing provider for Moncrieff in the previous passage, nicked a lineout overthrow inside the Welsh 22 and busted his way over the line to extend Scotland’s lead.
A final Scotland try finished the half as, from inside the Welsh 22, Noah Cowan spun the ball to Urwin, and onto Kerr Yule. He made a few metres before handing a clever inside ball to captain Ventisei for his second. Urwin nailed the conversion to put Scotland firmly in control at the break.
Penalties racked up against Scotland early in the second half and the home side found themselves camped on their line. A smart ball from Logan Franklin went through the hands of Elis Price and Cornelius, before ending up with Lewis Edwards, who crossed over for Wales’ third try. Ford found his kicking boots and knocked this one over.
Pressure built up again against the Scots and after patient build up from the visitors, the ball was flung wide to winger Ollie Das, who stepped inside to score a simple try. Joe Cummins knocked over the conversion to further close the gap.
Scotland punched back with a rolling maul coming off the back of a lineout deep in Wales territory. McKenna scored his second try as the man at the back of the maul which rolled over the line. Urwin converted from a tight angle and the 21-point lead was restored.
Wales centre Gruff Watkins was the beneficiary of a massive overload on the left. The ball was put on a plate for the replacement to run in and score another Welsh try.
The gap closed further when Caio Parry scored a well taken try. Ford’s conversion shrunk to just nine points.
Three minutes later Wales were over again. Harrison Bellamy with a scrum half style snipe from the 22 line. Two defenders tried to track back and drag him down, but he was too quick. Joe Cummins knocked over the conversion and it became a two-point margin. after 73mins.
A penalty was given to Wales for the home side holding on in the ruck, and in a very kickable spot. The posts were beckoning as Cummins lined up a penalty kick, but it went just wide with seconds left to play.
Scotland managed to hold out the remaining seconds, but not without their hearts in their mouths.
Scotland U20:Â 15. Jack Brown, 14. Nairn Moncrieff, 13. Johnny Ventisei (captain), 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Fergus Watson, 10. Matthew Urwin, 9. Noah Cowan; 1. Keita Ando, 2. Ollie McKenna, 3. Ollie Blyth Lafferty, 4. Dan Halkon, 5. Dylan Cockburn, 6. Christian Lindsay, 7. Billy Allen, 8. Oliver Finlayson-Russell.
Replacements: 16. Jamie McAughtrie, 17. Finlay McIntosh, 18. Jamie Stewart, 19. Bart Godsell, 20. Zander Mactaggart, 21. Robbie Baird, 22. Ross Wolfenden, 23. Guy Rogers, 24. Ryan Whitefield, 25. Mark Fyffe, 26. Alfie Hoyles, 27. Cameron Van Wyk, 28. Angus Hunter.
Wales U20:Â 15. Lewis Edwards, 14. Ieuan Cornelius, 13. Osian Roberts, 12. Elis Price, 11. Ollie Das, 10. Harri Ford, 9. Logan Franklin; 1. Morgan Williams, 2. Lewis Jones, 3. Jac Pritchard, 4. Dylan Alford, 5. Dan Gemine, 6. Deain Gwynne (captain), 7. Caio James, 8. Keanu Evans.
Replacements: 16. Evan Wood, 17. Dylan James, 18. Harrison Bellamy, 19. Issac Godfrey, 20. Tom Cottle, 22. Joe Denman, 23. Harry Beddall, 24. Tudor Jones, 25. Charlie Rainbird, 26. Joe Cummins, 27. Gruff Watkins, 28. Osian Darwin-Lewis, 29. Arthur Moore, 30. Caio Parry.
Referee: Rob McDowell
